A crucial new dredging programme has commenced on the Somerset Levels, aiming to prevent flooding and protect local homes and businesses.
Since 2015, the Parrett Internal Drainage Board has implemented an annual dredging initiative to maintain the River Parrett’s capacity. This ongoing effort facilitates the efficient movement of large volumes of water from the Levels and Moors into the Bristol Channel, reducing flood risks.
Following the Environment Agency’s last dredge in 2014, funding for this programme has come through the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), supported by council tax contributions. The latest phase began this week, targeting the river stretch downstream from Burrowbridge to the Northmoor pumping station.
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Burrowbridge, where the River Parrett meets the River Tone and the A361 key route passes, is a critical area for flood management. Dredging here was highlighted as a priority in the Somerset 20-year flood action plan, developed after the severe floods of 2013 and 2014.
Scheduled to run for two to three weeks, this round of dredging aligns with some of the larger winter tides to maximize effectiveness. The process uses a platform-mounted excavator operated by WM Longreach to remove silt from the riverbank and deposit it into the river channel. Subsequently, the specialist craft Borr, operated by Van Oord, employs powerful water jets to agitate and disperse the silt into suspension, allowing the outgoing tide to carry it downstream.
For further details on the River Parrett dredging project, interested parties can contact the Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium office at 01278 789906 or via email at [email protected], quoting ‘water injection dredging’ in the subject line.
Looking ahead, the SRA plans to set its annual budget in early March, which will include allocations for future dredging and related flood prevention improvements as part of an enhanced programme. The draft proposal for the 2026/27 financial year includes £775,000 dedicated to maintenance dredging and silt monitoring along three miles of the River Parrett downstream of Burrowbridge.
In September 2025, the SRA board voted to continue water injection dredging through at least the 2031/32 financial year, underscoring the long-term commitment to flood protection and river management on the Somerset Levels.